DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Biodiversity and Geological Conservation

Keith Hill: I am announcing today the publication of a consultation draft of a new planning policy statement on biodiversity and geological conservation and a draft circular (published jointly with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to accompany it. The draft of planning policy statement 9 (PPS9) sets out the Government's national planning policies for biodiversity and geological conservation. The accompanying draft circular provides administrative guidance on the application of the law relating to planning and nature conservation as it applies in England.
	It is intended that PPS9, together with the circular and future good practice guidance will, in due course replace planning policy guidance note 9 on nature conservation published in 1994. The draft PPS9, and its supporting documents meet the commitment set out in the planning Green Paper for shorter, more focused and policy rich statements of planning policy with separate advice on non-policy matters.
	The draft PPS takes account of legislative changes since 1994 that affect biodiversity and geological conservation, and reflects the commitments in the "Biodiversity Strategy for England", published in 2002. It has a clearer focus on the need to conserve, enhance and restore biological diversity.
	Consultation on the draft of PPS9 and the accompanying draft circular will run until 9 December 2004. Copies of the draft consultation papers have been made available in the Libraries of the House.

Standards Board for England

Phil Hope: The Standards Board for England's annual report and accounts for 2003–04 have been placed in the Library of the House together with an annual review of the board's activities during the year.
	The report and accounts cover the second year of significant operations by the standards board for England. During the year ended 31 March 2004, 3566 allegations of misconduct had been referred to the Standards Board, an increase of about 20 per cent. compared with the previous year.
	The annual report highlights that the board is continuing to work in partnership with local government to promote and sustain the high standards of conduct, which are essential to public confidence in our local democracy.

HEALTH

Mental Health Bill

Rosie Winterton: The Government have today published a Mental Health Bill. This Bill will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny. A joint scrutiny committee has been established and has been asked to present its report by the end of March 2005.
	Mental health legislation sets out the circumstances in which a person can be treated for mental disorder without their consent and the safeguards they are entitled to. The vast majority of people with mental health problems do not need to be treated against their wishes but occasionally this is necessary, normally to protect themselves, but more occasionally to protect others.
	It has long been recognised that the current mental health legislation, the Mental Health Act 1983, needs to be updated, in line with the development of services and of human rights law to give a greater focus on patients' needs and wishes. In 1998, the Government set up an expert committee to advise on how mental health legislation should be shaped to reflect contemporary patterns of care and treatment and to support government policy. In 2002, following a Green and a White Paper, a draft Bill was published for consultation.
	Since then, the comments received on the 2002 draft have been considered in full and, following further work and meetings with stakeholders, a revised Bill has been produced. We have made changes to address the concerns expressed by stakeholders. The Bill brings the framework for the compulsory treatment of people with serious mental health disorders up to date.
	This Bill needs to be considered in the context of the wider Government strategy to improve mental health services. In 1998, the National Service Framework for mental health set out national standards for the care and treatment of adults with mental disorder. The NHS Plan announced, in 2000, substantial additional investment for mental health services. As a result of the National Service Framework and the additional investment, significant improvements have been made in mental health services. This is particularly the case in relation to community-based services, such as crisis resolution and assertive outreach teams. It is important that mental health legislation is now modernised.
	The Bill will provide important benefits. The Bill means that the small minority of people with mental health problems who need to be treated against their wishes, normally for their protection but occasionally to protect the public, will get the right treatment at the right time. This meets the needs of the individual patient and makes sure that the public is protected.
	The Bill ensures there is no compulsion without the provision of appropriate treatment. Safeguards for patients will be greatly strengthened with a choice of representative, access to advocacy and all use of compulsory treatment beyond 28 days having to be authorised by the new independent mental health tribunal or the courts. Under the Bill, patients who are ill and vulnerable will be able to get the treatment they need in the community, including non-dangerous mentally disordered offenders who may otherwise receive a prison sentence.
	Legislation about compulsory treatment inevitably raises many difficult issues. There has already been much discussion about this proposed new legislation. Pre-legislative scrutiny will now allow further considered debate. We look forward to receiving the report of the scrutiny committee.
	Copies of the Bill and of the explanatory notes have been placed in the Library.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum Seekers

Des Browne: The Government are firmly committed to ensuring that the country information material they produce to inform asylum decisions meets the highest standards.
	Accurate, objective and up to date country information is fundamental to a fair and effective asylum system. The independent advisory panel on country information (APCI) was set up to provide rigorous external scrutiny of country information material produced by the Home Office and make recommendations to help ensure that it is of the highest quality. The APCI has already shown itself to be working in a robust and forthright manner.
	While we are satisfied that the country information material produced by the Home Office is already of a good standard, we recognise that improvements can be made. We have responded swiftly and positively to issues raised by the APCI and announced earlier this year the introduction of a range of improvements in the way the material is produced and quality assured. The measures introduced were welcomed by the APCI and have resulted in a clear improvement in the quality and presentation of country information material.
	The panel rightly considers it essential that the Home Office's country information material should not only be objective in fact, but that it should also be perceived as being objective and have the confidence of all its users. The APCI was concerned that the country information would not be perceived as impartial while it was being produced by country information and policy unit (CIPU) which also has the function of advising on the development of country specific asylum policies. The APCI made a recommendation that the Home Office bring forward proposals to address this issue.
	We have given very careful consideration to the APCI's recommendation and I am announcing today that the current country information and country policy functions of the CIPU will be separated. In future, the production of country information material used by the Home Office will be undertaken by a country information unit dedicated solely to that function. The existing CIPU country policy function will be undertaken separately within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. These changes, which directly reflect the APCI's thinking, will be put in place as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.
	I am also announcing today that in future country reports will be produced and published at six-monthly intervals on the top 20 asylum generating countries (and other countries for which an operational need is identified) instead of the current top 35 countries. The reduction in the number of country reports produced is consistent with the significant reduction in asylum intake. This step will enable the resources freed to be used to help assure the standard of the country information material produced, whilst ensuring that country reports are still produced on the main asylum generating countries. Country information material will continue to be produced on those countries which fall outside the top 20 in the way that is now done for countries which fall outside the top 35.

Immigration Applications

Des Browne: I am publishing today a consultation document setting out options for new fees for immigration applications. As part of the ongoing review of the immigration system, the Home Office has been reviewing the charges for a range of immigration services: leave to remain; leave to remain associated with an immigration employment document; the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, the Sectors Based Scheme, and Travel Documents.
	We are seeking the views of the public, businesses, the education sector, legal representatives and our other stakeholders, regarding proposals to include the costs of non-asylum appeals and enforcement activity in the overall charge for an immigration application. We are also consulting on proposals to:
	introduce new payment methods for customers;
	introduce fees for applications for the transfer conditions of limited leave to a new passport or travel document; and
	introduce separate travel documents for children.
	We aim to implement new charges from 1 April 2005.
	We will be consulting on charges for work permits and for applications to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme later in the year.
	A partial regulatory impact assessment, which estimates the likely cost to business of increasing the fees for applications to the sectors based scheme and applications for leave to remain associated with an immigration employment document, is available by visiting www.homeoffice.gov.uk or www.direct.gov.uk, or by telephoning 0114 279 3422.
	An electronic version of the consultation document is available from 8 September on the Home Office website at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk. Hard copies of the consultation document will be available from 15 September, in the Libraries of both Houses or from the Charging Programme Office (telephone: 0151 235 8359).
	Interested parties are invited to submit their comments and views, by Wednesday 8 December 2004 to:
	Charging Programme Office, 3 Floor Cunard Building, Water Street, Liverpool, L2 OPP or by e-mail to: charging.consultation@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
	All replies that are received will be made public unless the author explicitly requests that this should not happen.

DEFENCE

Defence Procurement Agency

Adam Ingram: Six key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency for the financial year 2004–2005.
	In a change to previous years, the first three key targets now apply to all projects over £20 million which have passed their main gate approval but not yet achieved in service date (ISD). Key targets 2 and 3 are consistent with the goals set in the Department's public service agreement (PSA) for major equipment projects, although for the key targets, all movement in most likely ISD and cost forecasts will be measured, rather than only that which is in excess of the approval. The fourth key target relates to improvements in DPA Customer satisfaction. A revised key target 5, comprising a basket of measures, replaces the previous straight measure in order to provide a better indication of DPA efficiency. There is a new sixth key target reflecting the importance which the Department attaches to delivery of assets to the front-line. The key targets are:
	Key Target 1: Key requirements Compliance
	Predicted achievement of customers' core requirements 1 for projects: 97 per cent.
	Key Target 2: Average in-year in service date slippage
	Average in-year slippage of in service dates not to exceed 0.9 months
	Key Target 3: Average in-year cost growth
	Average in-year cost variation not to exceed 0.5 per cent.
	Key Target 4: Customer survey satisfaction rating
	Customer satisfaction rating of 72 per cent.
	Key Target 5: Achievement of planned efficiency measures 2 
	
		
		
			 (i) Measured asset turnover in months by comparing assets delivered to total assets less current liabilities 69.6 
			 (ii) Measures value of assets delivered as a multiple of operating cost 10.7 
			 (iii) Measures value of assets added to the balance sheet as a multiple of operating cost. 16.2 
		
	
	Around 10 core requirements per projects are agreed between the DPA and MOD headquarters, defining the essential characteristics of the equipment/capability.
	Target levels differ from those in the published corporate business plan as they reflect start of year forecast data.
	Key Target 6: Asset deliveries
	Variance between planned and actual in-year asset deliveries not to exceed 15 per cent.

Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency

Ivor Caplin: Key Targets have been set for the chief executive of the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency (MDPGA) for the financial year 2004–05. This year the key targets focus on MDP and work is ongoing to establish an effective and joined up performance management system that will fully incorporate the MGS and MDP from next year.
	The targets are as follows:
	Key Target 1:
	By March 2005, as a means of providing greater public reassurance, ensure that no more than 25 per cent. of the duty time of dedicated patrol officers is expended on activities not directly related to patrol duties.
	Key Target 2:
	By 31 March 2005, as a means of reducing crime and protecting MOD property and interests, achieve a crime-solving rate of 50 per cent. for the investigation of primary crime.
	Key Target 3:
	By 31 March 2005, in order to delivery performance as defined in relevant establishment CSAs, ensure that the Agency fulfils at least 95 per cent. of its funded and agreed customer taskings.
	Key Target 4:
	By 31 March 2005, in order to maintain appropriate levels of security as defined in relevant MDP CSAs, seek to maintain and improve upon the average baseline Security Contribution Index score achieved in the previous quarter at each establishment contributing to the index system.
	Key Target 5:
	By 31 March 2005, within the overall recruitment of police staff, and as part of an overall programme to retain personnel levels, to have recruited at least 15 per cent. women and 4 per cent. from minority ethnic communities.
	Key Target 6:
	By 31 March 2005, excepting unforeseen operational commitments, and with the intention of providing cost effective policing and guarding, as well as maintaining an appropriate work life balance for personnel, reduce the amount of overtime worked by each officer to no more than eight hours worked per week averaged over a 17 week rolling period.
	Key Target 7:
	By 31 March 2005, in order to maintain a healthy and effective workforce and contribute to the achievement of other key targets, reduce the overall level of sickness lost within the Agency (except MGS personnel) by one hour per member of staff per month against the corresponding achievement in the previous year.
	Key Target 8:
	By 31 March 2005, to have provided a greater clarity as to the extent of fraud within the MOD and thereby to have raised the awareness, by engaging with, and encouraging the MOD community to provide intelligence, with a view to increasing the number of reported fraud cases.

Deployment of RAF Harrier GR7s to Afghanistan

Geoff Hoon: The United Kingdom has a long-standing commitment to help the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country as a stable, secure and prosperous nation. That process is now approaching a vital stage. NATO is in the process of expanding the international security assistance force (ISAF) by creating more provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs). The coalition, meanwhile, continues to deploy PRTs of its own and to engage the remnants of the Taliban and its al-Qaeda supporters that reject all the Afghan people have achieved since 2001. Both the ISAF and the coalition provide essential support to the Afghan transitional authority and to the United Nations' Assistance Mission Afghanistan as they prepare for the Afghan presidential elections which are due on 9 October 2004.
	These are important tasks and both the coalition and the ISAF merit our support. In response to a coalition request for the United Kingdom to provide a close air support capability to coalition forces operating in southern Afghanistan, I have agreed the deployment of six Royal Air Force Harrier GR7 aircraft to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The aircraft will be provided by No. 3 Squadron, Royal Air Force, and the deployment is planned to be for nine months. The first personnel from 53 Field Squadron (Airfield Support), Royal Engineers, and No. 3 Squadron have already deployed to Kandahar and the force should be operational by the end of this month. The deployment will reach a strength of some 315 personnel in its early stages but will eventually settle at a strength of about 230. The cost of the deployment is estimated to be some £35.5 million.
	This is our first deployment of combat aircraft to Afghanistan in the current campaign. While their principal role will be to support coalition forces, the aircraft will also be available to support the ISAF. NATO has identified three such tasks: close air support as ISAF expands into Western Afghanistan; an airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability to support all ISAF forces, and; the provision of "air presence patrols" as part of the ISAF's support for the security of the Afghan presidential elections.
	The versatility of the Harriers, which will be equipped with laser-guided bombs, air to surface missiles and the joint reconnaissance pod, makes them an ideal asset to meet all these tasks. Deployment of these aircraft confirms our commitment to the NATO mission in Afghanistan, our support for the ISAF and our determination to help ensure the success of the international community's support for the Afghan electoral process. The Army and Royal Air Force personnel will provide a highly capable and credible force that will contribute to improving the security environment in the region. This is another clear sign of the UK's long term commitment to achieving a stable and secure Afghanistan.

Naval Recruiting and Training Agency

Ivor Caplin: In 1997 the initial and major phase of the transfer of support service activities to Flagship Training Ltd (Flagship), under partnership arrangements with the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency (NRTA), was agreed and subsequently implemented.
	I am pleased to inform the House that I have now agreed in principle to the next phase under this arrangement and the transfer of the provision of services which falls into two categories: harmonisation, and the integration of the nuclear department.
	This phase will enhance the support services already transferred, providing greater efficiencies and effectiveness across the five major training Establishments for the Royal Navy. There are potential total savings for the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency of approximately £6 million over the remainder of the contract period to 2011.
	The anticipated number of posts to be transferred is 296 (273 civilian and 23 service) under harmonisation and 24 (20 civilian and 4 Service) in the nuclear department. The trades unions have been regularly informed of progress and the formal consultation process has begun. A copy of the consultative documents has been placed in the Library of the House.

Training Group Defence Agency

Ivor Caplin: The commander-in-chief, Royal Air Force personnel and training command has set the chief executive of the Training Group Defence Agency the following targets for financial year 2004–2005:
	Key Target 1A: Output—RAF Initial Flying Training
	To recruit and train the required number of Royal Air Force aircrew to the standards required for entry to operational conversion unit training and other specialist flying training courses.
	
		
			  
		
		
			 Fast-Jet Pilots 42 
			 Multi-Engine Pilots 48 
			 Rotary Wing Pilots 46 
			 Fast-Jet Weapons Systems Operators 28 
			 Multi-Engine Weapons Systems Operators 9 
			 Non-Commissioned Aircrew 103 
			 Total 276 
		
	
	Key Target 1B:
	Output—RAF Initial Ground Training
	To recruit and train the required number of Royal Air Force personnel to the standards required to undertake ground appointments.
	
		
			  
		
		
			 Officer Basic Specialist Training 274 
			 Airman Basic Specialist Training 2,166 
			 Total 2,440 
		
	
	Key Target 2A: Output—Defence Flying Training
	To train aircrew of the three services to standards for entry to the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy operational conversion unit training, the Defence Helicopter Flying School and other specialist flying training courses, as well as providing training places for international students.
	
		
			  
		
		
			 RAF 560 
			 RN 164 
			 Army 305 
			 Tri-Service 95 
			 International 113 
			 Total 1,237 
		
	
	Key Target 2B: Output—Defence Ground Training
	To train personnel of the three services to the standards required to undertake ground appointments.
	
		
			  
		
		
			 RAF 17,763 
			 RN 3,983 
			 Army 6,766 
			 Total 28,512 
		
	
	To underpin the military effectiveness of the Royal Air Force by the timely provision of military personnel trained to the standards agreed with the agency's customers.
	Key Target 4: Cost Management
	To ensure that the necessary systems are in place to manage the business on an output-cost basis.
	Key Target 5:
	Efficiency
	To reduce the average per capita cost of training by improving first time and overall pass rates.
	
		
			  First Time Pass Rate Overall Pass Rate 
		
		
			 Officers—Phase 1 75% 98% 
			 Officers—Phase 2 90% 97% 
			 Airmen—Phase 1 75% 90% 
			 Airmen—Phase 2(<38 weeks) 80% 90% 
			 Airmen—Phase 2(>38 weeks) 63% 83%

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Iraq: Prosecution of Trooper Williams

Harriet Harman: My right hon. Friend the Attorney-General has made the following Ministerial Statement.
	"As I indicated in my written statement to the House on 14 June, Official Report, Lords, columns WS 22–24, this case, which involves an alleged unlawful killing by shooting of an Iraqi citizen during the course of an arrest, was brought to my attention after charges were dismissed by the soldier's commanding officer. This meant the case could not be tried by court martial. I referred it to the CPS who asked the Metropolitan Police for assistance in collecting further evidence.
	I can confirm that today the Metropolitan Police, on the advice of the CPS, charged Trooper Williams with the murder of Hassan Said on 3 August 2003 in Ad Dayr Iraq. Trooper Williams has been kept in custody to appear at Bow Street magistrates court this afternoon.
	Trooper Williams is a member of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment."